Breaking Dawn...

Ok, I just had to with the title. It was so appropriate. On the way to Rome, I was reading out of a tour book and one lady was saying how she went to the Trevi Fountain early in the morning when there were only 5 other people there. So Jess and I decided this would be a really good idea and we would do the same thing today. We got up actually before the break of dawn, at 5 am, so that we could get to the Trevi around 6:30, when it was scheduled for sunrise. Turns out it was raining so that didn't matter, which was actually good because we showed up late anyways.

Still, when we got there, there was nobody there except a police officer walking around. It was simply stunning. We had walked by it a few days ago when there were a 1000 and 1 people there, and so seeing it so empty was awesome. It was so pure, serene, and just gorgeous. I do particularly like fountains though, so this was great for me!

We took pictures all around, and then it was oh, 7:15. Nothing's open, what to do? We still hadn't seen the Spanish Steps yet (though we had walked by them the day before without realizing, oops), so we walked there. And still, no one out but the cleaning crew. These were also wonderful, especially because there were beautiful, bright-colored flowers lining the stairs. And another fountain! Bernini's Sunken Boat Fountain. Fantastic, but I'm not sure I got a good pic. I think Jess did, so I might just steal that from her. Also, walking up the stairs was not too bad after a semester of a 5th floor walkup apartment!

And now, it's 8:00. Woohoo, so late! We walked back to the Piazza del Popolo where there is a church from Angels and Demons (I think). Anyways, we walked into a wonderful church there. It was awesome to see the Romans just coming in before work or the start of there day just to pray. The feeling in there was very cool. There is another church from the book, Santa Maria della Vittoria, that we pass by on the walk back to our hostel. Inside is a statue by Bernini, The Ecstasy of St. Teresa. Probably my fave church I've been in. It's so unique. Everything inside is ornate, but it is actually a very small church. Something about this little church having a Bernini inside and the intense quiet inside is powerful. There is also the juxtaposition of the few tourists taking pictures along with the old ladies holding their rosaries and praying.

Well, so after the Piazza del Popolo we headed back to the hostel for a nap before we went and toured the Villa Borghese and the Borghese Museum. I actually had to leave early to come back and register (there are scheduled times for the museum). Jess got to tour the gardens and then went and walked around the city some more while I was dealing with UT stuff. I've pretty much been in since then because I'm exhausted. I think our trip to Rome should be called Rome 2009:Fit Camp. We have walked everywhere. Literally, all day every day. Up stairs, down stairs, up the hills, over the cobblestones. The only times we sit down are to eat, and that's not that long. It's great, because I'm used to walking a lot from Paris and it's good exercise, but it's dang tiring! Each night I fall into my bed and don't want to get up again.

Tomorrow we head to Florence for a few days, we are going to spend 2 days doing side trips. One day we are going to do the hike in Cinque Terra, and then another day we are going to hit up Pisa and Volterra. Yep, it's a real place, and since it's only a little ways outside Florence, we couldn't not go. They are actually filming there for the 2nd movie, but not till the end of May- just our luck, right? Maybe they'll already be setting up or something. Still, it'll be really cool to see, and it's supposed to be really pretty. After that, possibly Milan, and then Venice! I'm most excited about Venice, just because it's supposed to be amazingly beautiful with all the canals. Ok, and also because it's in the movies. I'm just saying...